SMHA Requirement for Police Record Checks
***Please note that this season there will be a deadline to have all necessary certifications. If volunteers do not have a valid PRC completed by November 1st they will no longer be allowed on the ice with their teams.***
Background
SMHA takes protecting the safety of our players very seriously. One way in which we do that is to require that volunteers coming in incontact with players obtain a Police Record Check (PRC). This is a point-in-query against police databases to ensure there's nothing within a volunteer's background that may suggest risk to children. Additiion information clarifying the SMHA's policies on PRCs is provided in the following sections.
Who Needs a Police Record Check?
A PRC is MANDATORY for any active volunteer of SMHA requires a completed PRC. In the context, of SMHA minor hockey, an active volunteer refers to anyone who has volunteered for a position that puts them in direct contact with players. This includes coaches, assistants, trainers, managers, and on-ice volunteers.
How Frequently are PRCs Required?
Starting with the 2017-18 hockey season, new PRCs may be utilized for 3 SMHA seasons. These may be partial or full seasons. This is much different from indicating that a PRC is good for three years. For instance, if a PRC is obtained at the onset of a season, the PRC is valid for that season and the subsequent two. However, if a PRC is obtained mid-season it is still only valid for that seaon (the remainder of it) and for the next two subsequent seasons.
How ar e PRCs Obtained?
PRCs are performed by Ottawa Police Services and obtained with a small cost. Their policy is to perform the service free for volunteer organizations, such as SMHA. In order to prove an individual's association with the SMHA, a volunteer letter is provided by the association.
The steps required to obtain a PRC are:
Your Division Convenor
VP Support Services
Director - House
Director - Development
Click here to obtain contact details.
https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/contact-us/Police-Record-Checks.asp
Questions about PRC? Click here to learn more from the Ottawa Police.
Note: Because of duration of the PRC process, potential volunteers are encouraged to begin the process during the summer.
What Do I Do With a PRC?
Once you have received your electronic or paper copy (via mail), please send a scanned copy to the SMHA Risk and Safety officer: riskandsafety@stittsvilleminorhockey.com where it will be safely secured and your date of issue will be tracked. This information is then recorded with Hockey Eastern Ontario.